Engine issues won’t affect Neo delivery: Airbus

The delivery schedule of Airbus A320neos will not be affected due to the Pratt & Whitney engine issues, faced by IndiGo and GoAir, the aircraft manufacturer has said.

“The engine issues are unfortunate. It is obvious that the engine you are talking about has had some teething problems. I do not see that overtime this will largely impact our deliveries,” CEO Airbus Tom Enders said.

In January, an IndiGo plane had to abort take-off at the last minute at Mumbai airport after one of its engines developed snag during taxiing. Last month, two A320neo planes of budget carrier GoAir made emergency landings due to the engine issues.
Following these incidents, the DGCA had directed IndiGo and GoAir to carry out inspections of the engines once they complete 1,000 hours of flying, instead of 1,500 hours as recommended by P&W.
The civil aviation watchdog has also called for repeat inspections every 500 hours thereafter.
The government is conducting a review of the snags faced by Pratt & Whitney (P&W) engines of Airbus 320neo (new engine option) planes, operated by IndiGo and GoAir in India.
Civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked the US engine maker to address the issues within a “specified time”.

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